Torquay United chairman Clarke Osborne has renewed his backing and support for head coach Gary Owers in the wake of four successive defeats which leave the Gulls, bottom of the Vanarama National League, still 12 points adrift of safety with 16 games to go.

Osborne, who has admitted that the chances of staying up are now ‘a big ask’, also predicted that United would bounce straight back up if they do go down to the National League South.

And the Gulls’ owner stressed that he remains committed to the long-term future of the club, including the delivery of a new stadium complex.

Jamie Reid of Torquay United dejected after the game. during the Vanarama National League match between Torquay United and Eastleigh at Plainmoor, Torquay, Devon on January 13 - PHOTO: Sean Hernon/PPAUK

Read More

Owers, who was appointed on September 13 after United had spent two years under Kevin Nicholson and six games with caretaker Robbie Herrera, took the brunt of criticism from some angry fans after last Saturday’s 4-0 home defeat by Bromley.

It was United’s ninth loss in 16 league and cup matches at Plainmoor this season.

But Osborne, in an interview with the Herald Express in the wake of his lengthy recent statement through the club, said: “Gary has my absolute backing, not only emotionally but also in terms of budget.

“We made some careful decisions last summer.

“We looked very hard and we did not knee-jerk those decisions.

“I meet Gary every week, and I am in regular contact with him. The more I see him, the more I understand how he works and the more convinced I am that we made the right decision.

Gary Owers during Torquay's loss to Boreham Wood (Image: Pinnacle)

“He is a very able, solid guy. You can’t look back. We are in the fight, and we have to concentrate all our efforts and all our resources to it.”

Osborne had acknowledged the odds-against another ‘Great Escape’ in his club statement, which is carried in full on Page 79.

But he told the Herald: “My absolute desire, and my statement to everybody connected with the club, is that we are going to stay up.

“Until it’s absolutely impossible, only then will we contemplate the changes and what we have to do for the following season. But if that happens, I can assure you that we will not be in the National League South for more than one season. We will not.”

Read More

Dagenham & Redbridge striker Elliott Romain last week became Owers’ sixth signing of the January transfer window, on loan to the end of the season.

Romain, 26, was one of the few successes against Bromley, and Owers is trying to sign a ‘targetman’ forward to complement him.

United’s next match is a trip to leaders Macclesfield Town this Saturday. The Silkmen, who include former Torquay players Nathan Blissett, Courtney Richards, Jared Hodgkiss and Callum Evans in their squad, were jolted by a 6-0 hammering at AFC Fylde last weekend.

Meanwhile, United midfielder Sam Chaney’s loan at NL South club Whitehawk has been extended to the end of the season. Chaney, 21, has been a regular starter for the Hawks since joining them in mid-November.